English
Design is not only what you see and touch. It is also what you hear.
For the HYG Series, Jamo partnered with Copenhagen-based sonic design studio Unmute to explore an often overlooked part of product design: the sounds that accompany interaction. From powering on and Bluetooth pairing to powering down, these subtle sonic cues help shape the experience before the music even begins.
For Unmute Sonic Director Simon Kringel, the collaboration also had a personal connection. Having owned a pair of Jamo speakers as a teenager, he came to see Jamo as an iconic Danish brand and a beloved name among sound enthusiasts in Denmark. The opportunity to help shape the new sound of Jamo therefore felt particularly meaningful.
Designing the Sounds of Interaction
The challenge was to create a sonic language that feels natural within the listening experience. Unmute developed a set of sounds for key moments of interaction, including the welcoming startup sound, Bluetooth pairing and power down.
The startup sound plays a particularly important role. It is the first sonic invitation from the product, signalling that something good is about to happen. At the same time, it needs to remain pleasant and unobtrusive, complementing the overall Jamo experience.
That same restraint guided the wider sonic direction. Unmute approached each sound as part of HYG’s character, giving the interface a subtle presence while keeping the sounds seamlessly connected to the product.
From Nordic Nature to Sound
As Unmute Creative Director John Cleworth explains, the design approach began with Nordic nature — its sense of dimension and calm. These qualities became the foundation for the sonic direction of HYG.
The team explored instruments with an acoustic, organic quality, creating sounds where you can almost sense the material behind them — bringing warmth, texture and a sense of physicality to HYG’s sonic character.
The Sound of Hygge
The name HYG draws from hygge, the Danish idea of cosiness, warmth and togetherness. From a sonic perspective, this meant moving towards sounds that feel warm, pleasant and human.
The approach also reflects a central principle of Danish design — bringing simplicity together with beauty, emotion and functionality.
Many portable speakers today use interaction sounds that feel cold, electronic or distinctly digital. For HYG, Unmute deliberately took another path, creating a warmer character that reflects the spirit of hygge and the human connection at the heart of listening to music together.
From form and material to light, interface and sound, the HYG Series brings these elements together with the same sense of calm and consideration — a complete experience shaped not only by what you see, but also by what you hear.